Building Youth Arts Careers: New Research from Next Generation Arts

Next Generation Arts has released Building Youth Arts Careers, a new report documenting the experiences of young artists and arts workers from equity-deserving groups across the Greater Toronto Area.

Despite the sector’s significant contribution to Toronto’s economy and cultural life, artists and arts workers earn far less than workers in other fields and the labour force remains less diverse than the population it serves. Opportunities are scarce, unevenly concentrated, and too often shared through informal networks that exclude racialized and marginalized artists and arts workers. Against this backdrop, this report documents what young artists and arts workers from equity-deserving groups are navigating, in their own words.

Conducted in partnership with Blueprint, the research engaged 241 young artists and arts workers from equity-deserving groups aged 18–35 through an online survey and five focus groups held between January and March 2026. The findings paint a consistent picture: most who enter the sector intend to build long-term careers in it, but structural conditions make that increasingly difficult. From early-career roles that are frequently unpaid or precarious, to short-term contracts, low wages, and invisible ceilings further down the road, instability follows them throughout their careers.

Mentors, peer community, and programming offered by community arts organizations were what kept racialized and marginalized artists and arts workers in the sector long-term. The report calls on arts leaders to invest meaningfully in these supports, and to take further action: expanding opportunities and programming outside the downtown core, offering accessible skills training in areas like grant writing and self-promotion, rethinking age-based funding eligibility, and working toward a more centralized and transparent space for arts opportunities across the GTA.

Next Generation Arts believes that a career in the arts should be a viable path for every young person who pursues it. We share this report as a tool for discussion, a record for the sector to build from, and a catalyst for the change that artists, arts workers, funders, and organizations can drive together.

The full report is available to read and share widely. Access the report: nextgenerationarts.ca/building-youth-arts-careers

Pictured (from left to right): Invited youth panellists Faith Rajasingham, Jasmine Vanstone, Anjalee Nadarajan, Aswani Siwakoti, and Maria Patricia Abuel share their experiences at Next Generation Arts’ Building Youth Arts Careers launch event, March 28, 2026, at the Clark Centre for the Arts. Photo by Kat Rizza Photography.

Presenting Organization

Next Generation Arts is a not-for-profit charitable arts organization serving youth across the Greater Toronto Area. We are dedicated to empowering young people through access to arts programs, mentorship, employment opportunities, and a dedicated youth hub in Scarborough—all working together to foster creative expression and personal growth. In doing so, we cultivate the next generation of artists, appreciators, and cultural contributors and support the development of their artistic and innovative practices.

Research Co-Lead / Evaluation Consultants

Blueprint is a nonprofit that helps government, community, and industry leaders use data and evidence to tackle complex public challenges across Canada. We combine policy analysis, program design, implementation science, data analytics, performance measurement, and evaluation to deliver practical, actionable solutions—cutting through complexity, driving public value, and improving lives.

Project Partners: ArtReach and The Blackstone Foundation Library.

This project has been made possible by the Government of Canada.

For more information, contact Marianne Rellin, Associate Director, marianne@nextgenerationarts.ca